News about national level high school pole vaulting, pole vaulters, rules, etc. Things that are of local interest only should go in the regional forums below. High schoolers wanting to chat should go to the High School Lounge.

Fall practice has recently began and my coach wants us to focus right now on bracing and staying behind the pole. Can anyone tell me how my jumps look and if I'm staying behind the pole (not sure what that really means). Also I'm not sure what to do with my arms after takeoff. I know their not full jumps yet but can someone also let me know if my arms are active or not after takeoff. I'm 5-7 140 jumping on a 12-9 150 carbon altius running with heals from 40ft holding at 11-8

Your plant support is right ! You have what I teach as a BENT ARM ground level PRESS with the left hand! As you move up in grip and poles you will PRESS, not PUSH! The EARLY GROUND LEVEL PRESS should actually move up and to the LEFT! The PRESS up and to the left gets the pole out of the way and makes it easier to go through on stiffer poles!!! You are headed in the right direction!!!!

Here is another video from my latest practice. I think it's a little better than the previous jumps already but I feel like I my arms are inactive after the plant and they should be doing something but I'm not sure what. If anyone can let me know what I should be doing during the plant/takeoff phase that would be awesome! I'm on a 13-160 sky pole holding 12-7 from 62 (6 lefts but I probably could of done it in 5)

Once you come through the pole think about "shrugging" your hands/arms up over your head. Do not go past the vertical until the pole rolls past you. If you go past vertical too early with hands (pike) it will cause you to pike through your shoulders and your hips will never clear. After takeoff you are sitting on your bottom hand and the pole bends sightly low. Just try to keep all of the pressure up. Attempting to open the pole as high as possible. Let that trail leg stay behind top hand, try to create some elasticity there.

You have a lot of good stuff going on just get on a bigger stick. Love the high hands on penultimate step. Love the free-ish takeoff. Early pressure to the top hand is good. Try to always send video from first step...most problems are cause and effect.

Thanks for the feedback SCPVPA! I'm a little confused on what you mean by[quote="SCPVPA"]Once you come through the pole think about "shrugging" your hands/arms up over your head. Do not go past the vertical until the pole rolls past you."can you (or anyone) show me what this is visually?

You want to think about creating space between you and the pole with both hands while letting your chest come through the pole. Once your chest comes through the pole then your hands start to come in to play with this move. It is tough to explain over a forum post. Hopefully this video can help you compare.

Common mistakes that folks make on this is they see that big bottom arm and they try to place that pressure directly out in front of them. That will not allow your chest to come through your shoulders and move the pole. Always keep pressure UP.

Mark Hollis posted himself doing this exact drill awhile back. I love it when the big dogs give back by sharing these things.